Sarah Geronimo breaks silence on ABS-CBN shutdown: ‘Magkaisa po tayo’

Image: Facebook/@SGeronimo25

Sarah Geronimo made a rare show of her voice online as she finally broke her silence on the ABS-CBN shutdown.

ABS-CBN supporters have called her out as they felt she had not stood up for the company during its time of crisis, while her fans have rallied behind her with the statement “Protect Sarah G AtAllCost” on Twitter.

The pop star released a statement today, July 19 on Instagram, after she became a trending topic on Twitter on her perceived lack of support for the media giant.

Geronimo posted pictures of Bible quotes, one of which said, “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CC0VImnlK6O/

She also shared a photo of her statement in the same post where she expressed gratitude to the network for supporting her career and appealed for another chance for ABS-CBN.

Image: Instagram/@justsarahgph

“Malaki po ang utang na loob ko sa network na ito at habangbuhay ko po ipagpapasalamat ang bawat oportunidad, tiwala na ibinigay nila sa akin,” she said.

(My debt of gratitude to the network is huge and I will thank it for the rest of my life for each opportunity and the trust they gave me.)

“Hindi ko man po alam ang buong detalye kung bakit [‘di] na muli nabigyan ng prankisa ang ABS-CBN… hindi ko man po naiintindihan lahat pero gusto ko po iparating ang aking pagsaludo sa mga haligi ng ABS-CBN para sa kanilang paglaban ng disente at mapagkumbaba sa harap ng ating mga lawmakers.”

(Though I do not know the full details of why ABS-CBN was not granted another franchise… I do not understand everything but I want to salute the pillars of ABS-CBN for their decent and humble fight before our lawmakers.)

“Bagamat napakasakit po na matanggihan, patuloy pa rin kaming sumasamo, nakikiusap at umaapila, nagdadasal para sa aming hangarin na mabigyan muli ang aming minamahal na ABS-CBN family ng isa pang pagkakataon,” she wrote.

(Though it is painful to be rejected, we continue to appeal and pray that our beloved ABS-CBN family will be given one more chance.)

“Pagkakataon na makabawi kung meron mang naging pagkukulang, pagkakataon na malawakang makapaglingkod, makapagbigay serbisyo sa [mamamayang] Pilipino.”

(A chance to make up for whatever shortcomings, a chance for widespread service, a chance to serve the Filipino people.)

The “Tala” singer also called for unity during the pandemic and shared her sympathies for those affected by the loss of jobs due to the network’s shutdown.

“Mahal ko po ang aking ABS-CBN family. Mahalaga po sa akin ang bawat empleyado na labis na nagdadalamhati ngayon dahil sa kawalan ng trabaho,” she said.

(I love my ABS-CBN family. Each employee who is deeply grieving the loss of their jobs is important to me.)

“Ako po si Sarah Geronimo, [‘di] lamang artista, isa ring mamayang Pilipino na umaapila para sa mga labis na apektado ng COVID-19,” she declared.

(I am Sarah Geronimo, not only a talent, but also a Filipino citizen appealing for those deeply affected by COVID-19.)

“[Magtulungan] po tayo, [‘wag] po tayo magwatak-watak. Ituon po natin ang ating pansin at pokus sa ating mga kababayan na sugatan at pasigaw nang humihingi ng saklolo dahil sa pagod, sakit at dalamhati.”

(Let us help each other, let us not be divided. Let us focus our attention to our fellow citizens who are hurt and crying for help because of exhaustion, illness and sorrow.)

“Magkaisa po tayo para sa ating mahal na bansang Pilipinas,” she urged. “Magkaisa po tayo. Magkaisa po tayo para sa ating kapwa.”

(Let us be united for our beloved country, the Philippines. Let us be united. Let us be united for our fellow citizens.) JB

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